Eight young hikers who called 911 for help after nearly getting stranded on the summit of Mount Washington could face charges for the cost of their attempted rescue.

New Hampshire Fish and Game said the eight hikers from Willimantic and Manchester, Connecticut, ranging in ages from 19 to 21, were attempting to come down Boot Spur Trail when they got lost around 7 p.m. Saturday and called 911 for assistance.

Advertisement

According to authorities, the hikers met up with three other hikers who provided guidance and led them down the trail.

Officials said the group did not call rescuers to report they were on the trail and a rescue effort was started.

Rescuers began hiking up the trail to locate the group when they were met only 20 minutes up the trail.

The group told officials they had hiked to the summit of Mt. Washington with the intent of taking the Cog Railway down. When they discovered that the train was not running, they decided to take the Boot Spur back down to Pinkham.

Authorities said the group was not prepared for a prolonged hike in the White Mountains with inadequate clothing, cotton t-shirts, jeans, sweat pants and shorts. In addition they had no flashlights or headlamps, only the light from a cell phone.

The group made it down at around 9:00 p.m. exhausted, wet and cold. Authorities said without the assistance from the other hikers they could have faced serious medical consequences.